With so many online banking and mobile banking options available today, it’s become easier than ever to manage your money. From transferring funds and depositing checks to making loan payments and reviewing account balances—most transactions are right at your fingertips.
But while digital banking has made completing financial transactions much easier, it’s also opened up a window for potential fraud and identity theft to occur. That’s why knowing how to keep your digital platforms updated and secure will ensure that your financial accounts, credit, and identity stay safe from criminals.
If you use Chambers Online Banking and Mobile Banking or you plan to begin using them in the near future, please follow these steps to protect your Chambers Bank accounts:
1. Build Strong Account Passwords and Change Them Often
Use password combinations that mix uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and at least one symbol together. Words related to your identity should be avoided, such as names, addresses, birthdates, schools, and pet names. Overall, the longer your password is and more character combinations it has, the harder it will be to decipher.
Besides creating unique passwords, you should change your account passwords every three to six months; schedule a change out on your calendar to help you remember this important task. And one more thing: Don’t use the same passwords for multiple accounts.
2. Never Do Your Online Banking or Mobile Banking On Public Wi-Fi
Most public Wi-Fi networks aren’t encrypted; therefore, they are not private. Because of this, cybercriminals can jump onto unsecured networks and steal things like passwords, account numbers, and personally identifiable information (PII). So if you’re doing any activities that require a log in, you’re putting yourself at risk for identity theft and fraud.
If you must use Online Banking or Mobile Banking away from home, toggle your Wi-Fi connection off and use your cellular data or a virtual private network (VPN) to log in to your accounts.
3. Monitor Your Chambers Bank Accounts Regularly
Checking your transaction history and account balances regularly is a good way to watch for identity theft, adhere to your budget, and avoid unnecessary fees and charges. While you don’t have to monitor your accounts on a daily basis, checking in 1-2 times per week can help you stay on top of your account activity. Also, don’t forget to review your monthly account statements; sometimes seeing your transactions and balances in this format can help you catch questionable transactions.
Please note: If you find any suspicious transactions or an account balance seems incorrect, contact the Customer Care Center immediately at 1-800-603-1226 to resolve the issue. Your responsibility for fraudulent charges related to a debit card or stolen account information caps at $50 if you notify Chambers Bank within two business days of the unauthorized charges occurring. After two business days and before 60 days, you could be required to pay up to $500. If you wait more than 60 days to report unauthorized charges, you could be responsible for paying the full amount.
4. Set Up Online Banking Account Alerts
Chambers Bank has an Online Banking tool called Account Alerts to help you stay aware of changes to your bank accounts. With this tool, you can set alerts when a variety of transactions and balance changes occur, from deposits and withdrawals to transfers, overdrafts, and more. You can receive notifications via text or email, and you can change alert preferences at any time.
To get started, be sure to enroll in Online Banking first and then follow these instructions to set up your Account Alerts at Chambers Bank.
5. Keep Your Antivirus Software Current
Antivirus software protects your computer from viruses that can destroy data, slow down its functionality, and even crash the device. You need to keep the software up to date so it can continuously scan the hard drive, files, and emails for malicious tools and applications.
With most antivirus software, you can run a feature that allows the software to download updates automatically when you’re online, but it also helps to check for updates manually. To do this, open your antivirus software, look for an option to check for updates, and then download and install updates if they haven’t run automatically. You should also make sure that your antivirus software is continuously running and checking for updates.
6. Don’t Save Your Login Credentials
Some web browsers and websites will give you the option to save your logins for future use, but if another person uses your computer or mobile device after you, they will have access to your saved information and could use it to steal your credentials or commit fraud.
Bottom line: Don’t save your login credentials when prompted … and log out of websites when you’re done using them. Instead of putting yourself at risk, use a stand-alone password manager app or write your credentials down and keep them in a safe, secure location.
7. Stay Current On Computer and Mobile Device Updates
To reduce security risks and maintain optimal functionality, make sure the software and operating systems on both your computer and mobile devices are updated to the latest versions whenever they become available.
8. Don’t Provide Personal Information Unless You Initiate It
Only give out your personal information to verified sources that you’ve initiated contact with. Chambers Bank will never call, email, or text you and request information such as your bank account number, Social Security number, or credit card information.
How Safe Is Online Banking?
Online banking with Chambers Bank is a safe way to manage your money as long as you follow online safety recommendations and avoid disclosing personally identifiable information (PII) to others. In order to protect your personal information from unauthorized use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. Those measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
For more information about keeping your online bank accounts secure, please visit our web page Protect Yourself & Your Finances and then contact our Customer Care Center at 1-800-603-1226 if you have questions about banking safely online.
